Netanyahu Visits Gaza Border, Claims Control of 60% of Strip

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an army camp adjacent to the Gaza Strip's "yellow line" on Wednesday, accompanied by IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, Southern Command chief Yaniv Asor, and Commander of the 99th Division Alad Tsuri. According to Netanyahu's office, officers briefed the premier on "the activity of army forces in the area of the yellow line and the missions being carried out to counter threats and maintain the security of forces and Israeli communities."

Speaking from within the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu stated, "We control this area. You can see Ashkelon and all our communities from all directions: Sderot, Netivot, and the kibbutzim." He added, "We control 60% of the strip, and we continue to advance because we are eliminating the terrorists who threaten us. We have captured the head of Hamas's internal security apparatus."

Netanyahu asserted, "We will do everything to achieve our goal, to disarm Hamas and disarm the entire Gaza Strip. Gaza will not be a source of threat to Israel. This goal has been largely achieved, and there is more work to be done, and we will complete it."